143 



and repeated clear-cuttings until the blight has disappeared, 

 might we not only get rid of the blight, but in the process bring 

 about the introduction of definite forestry practice? 



I am not condemning entirely the method of eliminating blight 

 infested trees. That method may be used more successfully over 

 small areas of woodland such as occur in the southeastern part 

 of the State. When one thinks of the tremendous areas of wood- 

 land which the State owns and is owned privately for instance, 

 through Centre county and on up into Clinton county, the propo- 

 sition of going in and cutting out infested trees is a hard one to 

 consider. If over such lands we can bring about the introduc- 

 tion of some method of cutting on as short a rotation as possible, 

 and as often as the returns will justify it, it is easy to see that 

 we will keep the forest growing rapidly and healthfully and that 

 we will do more tow r ard keeping the blight out and perpetuating 

 the chestnut than going here and there through that great area 

 and cutting out infested trees. While this Commission, which is 

 doing such a splendid work, and work which will always redound 

 to the credit of Pennsylvania, is eliminating infested trees here 

 and there through the State, might it not be able also to intro- 

 duce a system of management among our woodland and forest 

 owners which will continue beyond the life of the Commission? 

 At the present time, by the practice of eliminating diseased trees 

 you are getting rid of those infested trees only. In saying this 

 I am not discountenancing or underestimating the tremendous 

 educational value of the work which the Commission is doing, 

 but if you carry on this method of eliminating individual trees 

 only, what have you done for the owner after you get through 

 with it? You may have stopped temporarily the blight, but if 

 at the same time you can introduce a system of management that 

 is going to put the whole wood lot into better growing condition, 

 I say you are going to accomplish more in the way of permanent 

 results and more in a forestry way in this country. (Applause). 



THE CHAIRMAN : The next paper is entitled "The Chestnut 

 lUight and Constructive Conservation/' by Dr. J. Russell Smith, 

 of the University of Pennsylvania. 



